Awards

GUIDELINES FOR TENNESSEE ASSOCIATION OF OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIANS AWARD NOMINATIONS BY MEMBERS, LOCAL SOCIETIES, COMMITTEES OR THE TAOP BOARD. ALL NOMINATIONS MUST INCLUDE A WRITTEN EXPLANATION FROM THE NOMINATING ENTITY AS TO WHY THE NOMINATION IS BEING MADE. NO ACTIVE TAOP OFFICER IS ELIGIBLE FOR ANY AWARD, EXCEPT TRUSTEE OF THE YEAR. ALL AWARD RECIPIENTS MUST BE IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE TENNESSEE ASSOCIATION OF OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIANS.

Nominations are due by September 1^st. Nominations should be sent to TAOP, PO Box 40967, Nashville, TN 37204, Faxed to 615-269-5986, or emailed to  admin@taoponline.org

1. "TAOP OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR" This award is given by the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians to an optometrist practicing in Tennessee who distinguished himself/herself in service to the profession. The award is called "Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians' Optometrist of the Year Award." Nominations should be submitted to the TAOP office by September 1st prior to the TAOP Congress so that the Awards Committee may select a recipient. The award presentation will be held during TAOP's Annual Congress. The TAOP "Optometrist of the Year" will be nominated for the AOA "Optometrist of the Year"
2. "TAOP YOUNG OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR" This Award is given annually to a young Optometrist practicing in Tennessee who has distinguished himself/herself in service to the profession. To qualify for this award, the optometrist must have been practicing for eight years (8) or less. The award is called " Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians Young Optometrist of the Year Award." Nominations should be submitted to the TAOP office by September 1st prior to the TAOP Congress so that the Awards Committee may select a recipient. The award presentation will be held during TAOP's Annual Congress.
3. "TAOP PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD" (OPTIONAL) This award may be given annually to a person or organization in recognition of distinguished service to the visual welfare of mankind. The award recognizes: individuals, educational institutions, research programs, and civic/community organizations. This award is called the "Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians' Public Service Award". Nominations should be submitted to the TAOP office by September 1st prior to the TAOP Congress so that the Awards Committee may select a recipient. The award presentation will be held during TAOP's Annual Congress.
4. "TAOP STATESPERSON OF THE YEAR" (OPTIONAL) This award may be given annually to a legislator in recognition of his/her contributions to the professions of Optometry. The award is called the " Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians' Statesperson of the year Award." Nominations should be submitted to the TAOP office by September 1st prior to the TAOP Congress so that the Awards Committee may select a recipient. The award presentation will be held during TAOP's Annual Congress.
5. "TAOP DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD" (OPTIONAL) Nominees for this award should be individuals who have made significant, long-term contributions to the profession and have not been recognized for the length of his/her service. The award will be called the "Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians' Distinguished Service Award." Nominations should be submitted to the TAOP office by September 1st prior to the TAOP Congress so that the Awards Committee may select a recipient. The award presentation will be held during TAOP's Annual Congress.
6. "TAOP OD OF THE DECADE" The criteria for this award was never formally adopted. Only two OD's have received this for their continued important service to the Association and Profession for more than 10 years. Recipients have been Virgil Rhodes and Jeff Foster. Nominations should be submitted to the TAOP office by September 1st prior to the TAOP Congress so that the Awards Committee may select a recipient.
7. “TRUSTEE OF THE YEAR” (OPTIONAL) This Award shall be nominated by the Executive Committee of the TAOP Board of Trustees and presented to an individual OD who has served at minimum 1 (one) year in the position of TAOP trustee, and has distinguished themselves through leadership, dependability, and exemplary contributions to the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians. The nominee must be an active member of the TAOP board, or has served within the past year, who holds current membership in the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians. Nominations should be submitted to the TAOP office by September 1st prior to the TAOP Congress so that the Awards Committee may select a recipient.